Great article! I've always been curious about pre-working habits because I hear different things from everywhere so it's great to have this cleared up. I have personally noticed that I tend to lack "natural" energy prior to workouts and even by tracking my daily food intake, it was plain to see that I'm not getting enough carbs in my diet which is why my energy levels are lacking.

Thanks for the great article- I learned this the hard way a couple of years ago while going "low carb" and trying to maintain my running distances/pace. Can you say BONK?!!! I leared that if I was going to exercise, carbs had to be a part of my diet.

I have always been a morning person and therefore exercise very early in the morning before breakfast. I have never had a problem with low energy levels because of this.. Unfortunately though, I have a ferocious appetite afterwards. I find that a breakfast with plenty of protein ( I try to keep it reasonably lean) and few carbs takes care of my hunger for hours.

Yep, Cliff bars are pretty tasty. Cliff has also started making Luna bars targeted more towards women which are also pretty good. You may want to check the nutrition information to make sure they are right for you, but they taste pretty awesome. (I mean, they're not a Snickers, but compared to other energy bars or even granola bars they are really great!)

I am one who has a snack (even just a cup of OJ or a banana does the trick) before AM workouts to avoid the low energy, nasty lightheadded, fainty feeling after the first 20 minutes of cardio. Everyone else I know says you should definitely NOT eat before AM workouts. Good to know my instincts were correct - and that I'm not sabotaging my workouts as much as I thought.

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